Environmental Lawsuit Puts Stress on Hudson Family

BALTIMORE (AP) - A Maryland chicken farmer at the center of a lawsuit that could impact the state's poultry industry said in court that the lawsuit has been stressful for him and his family and also made him paranoid.

Alan Hudson, who raises chickens for poultry giant Perdue, is being sued by a New York-based environmental group which also sued Perdue. The group says Hudson's chicken-raising operation in Berlin polluted a nearby river.

Hudson says that the lawsuit, which was filed in 2010, has been difficult for his family.

Hudson said his 6-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter have been anxious because of the case. His daughter had been to a counselor.

Lawyers for Hudson and Salisbury-based Perdue say there's no evidence of pollution and that the Hudson farm is typical.